USS Deane (1778)

rdf:langString USS Deane (1778)

rdf:langString USS Deane

rdf:langString USS Hague, September 1782

rdf:langString *Capt. Samuel Nicholson *Capt. John Manley

rdf:langString *24 × 12-pounder guns *8 × 4-pounder guns *2 × 6-pounder guns

rdf:langString United States

rdf:langString USS Deane

rdf:langString The continental Navy frigate USS Deane was originally a ship secretly ordered by the American Commissioners from the Nantes shipowner . This 400 ton 'merchant' ship, then named the Lyon, with 32 gun emplacements, was fitted with 24 cannons and was built by Bourmaud. The number of cannons attracted the attention of the local maritime authorities, who notified the Minister of Marine. Having been paid through a Paris banker, Jean Peltier denied any other use apart from trade, and, on 3 November 1777, indicated in the deed of purchase that there was "absolutely no foreign involvement" and that the ship would be commanded by a Frenchman, Barthélémy Corvaisier, on the voyage to Santo Domingo. Even though suspicions had not completely disappeared, fortunately French intentions towards the USA had changed and Jean Peltier was encouraged to hasten the preparation of the ship. On 12 February 1778, the Lyon joined the Duc de Choiseul and the Brume in Saint Nazaire to then sail to the Quiberon Bay, where the escort of La Motte-Picquet was waiting to accompany them the 900 km to the United States. However disagreements with Samuel Nicholson led to the departure of a large number of the French crew, including Nicolas Baudin, and the embarkation of 102 American 'passengers'. An agreement was signed between Jonathan Williams and Nicholson and Corvaisier stepped down. Nicholson took command and renamed the ship the Deane after American Founding Father Silas Deane. On 14 February the crew was present at the 13-gun salute by John Paul Jones fired from the 'Ranger' and the 9-gun salute in response from La Motte-Picquet, in recognition of the American nation. And brought to the United States in May 1778 to be prepared for sea. She was named Hague in 1782, and was taken out of commission in 1783.

rdf:langString yes